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Are chat rooms, message boards and IMs safe?

What kind of online name should I choose?
You should never use your real name as your online name. By using your real name, anyone can know right away who you are and can probably find out more about you. This is especially true in chat rooms, where you can get comfortable chatting with someone and suddenly realize they know things about you.
You probably want your online name to describe who you are, but be careful about the name and words you choose.

Remember when you’re talking online to people you don’t know well, some people may unfairly judge you by your online name. So avoid using anything controversial or that could have a dodgy meaning. If you don’t, you could end up receiving unwanted e-mails from people who are just responding to your online name and not to who you really are.

If you can’t think of an online name to use without describing something about yourself, try using the name of a candy bar, color, or something else that’s not personal. If the name is already taken, you can try adding a few numbers, for example Green123.

Is IMing safe?
IMing isn’t as private as you might think, so it’s important to know how to stay safe and have fun too.

• Don’t respond to IM’s from people you don’t know or IM’s that look strange. It is possible to get unwanted IM’s. Like e-mails, IM’s can also contain viruses.
• Don’t forget to sign off when you’re finished and change your password regularly. This will keep others from using your IM account.
• If you get an IM that makes you feel uncomfortable, do not respond to it. Tell your parents/guardians about it.
• Never give out your screen name or password, even to your friends.

• Don’t flirt with strangers online.

Are chat rooms safe?
Before you enter a chat, be sure you have permission from a parent or guardian to do so!

Some chat rooms are thought to be safe because the topic that is being talked about is safe and because there is a moderator leading the chat. Even if the topic is okay, some people might talk about other things that can make you uncomfortable. If you ever feel uncomfortable or in danger for any reason, leave the chat room right away and tell a parent/guardian or other trusted adult.

Can the chat moderator make sure nothing bad happens in the chat room?
No. A chat moderator supervises a chat. A moderator can kick someone out of a chat if they write something they shouldn’t, but the moderator can’t stop you from going to a private chat area with someone who might harm or threaten you. If you are allowed to go to a chat, be careful to check out the topic first.

Your parents/guardians can check out the chat room first to make sure the conversation is okay. Some people who go into chats may want to imagine that you are someone you are not or play out their fantasy by saying bad things to you. If anyone makes you feel uncomfortable, leave the chat immediately.

Are message boards safe?
Many of the precautions mentioned above for chat rooms and IMing applies to message boards – check that your parents/guardian are happy for you to post on a MB before you do so, chose an anonymous name, don’t give out private details and leave message board conversations. If you ever get into
a ‘conversation’ on a message board / forum that makes you feel uncomfortable, uneasy or in danger for any reason, leave the message board right away and tell a parent/guardian or other trusted adult.

Frankandhonest.com is brought to you by ASK Education & Training Ltd. We provide training for young people and organisations working with young people. This site was created in response to countless requests from young people for a place to get answers.